What is my ACE (CCLL)?

[Elleth Faewen]

What is my ACE?

Your Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium, or ACE, is the number of net carbohydrates you can eat without gaining or losing weight. The term ACE was introduced in Atkins for Life, and it replaces the old term CCLL, which meant Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing.

You determine your actual ACE by moving up the rungs of the OWL ladder, finding out how different foods and exercise affect you. This is when you really start to personalize your diet.

It can help to have an idea of where your ACE is likely to wind up. To estimate your ACE, you must first know your metabolic resistance level. This is determined based on your first two weeks of induction and the amount you had to lose. You can then use your metabolic resistance level as a guide for how many net carbohydrates you will be able to eat each day on OWL to reach your ACE. Everyone is different, so use these charts as a general guide.

Degree of Metabolic Resistance for Men
...................Pounds Lost in First 14 Days
Pounds to Lose......High........Avg........Low
Less than 20.........4...........6..........8
20-50................6...........9.........12
More than 50.........8..........12.........16
 
Degree of Metabolic Resistance for Women
...................Pounds Lost in First 14 Days
Pounds to Lose......High........Avg........Low
Less than 20.........2...........4..........6
20-50................3...........6..........9
More than 50.........4...........8.........12
 
Metabolic Resistance........Approximate ACE Range
.......High.................15 grams of carbs per day
......Average...............15-40 grams of carbs per day
.......Low..................40-60 grams of carbs per day
..Regular exerciser*........60-90 grams of carbs per day
 
 
*In this context, a regular exerciser is someone who does vigorous exercise five days a week for at least 45 minutes.

Example 1: A man needing to lose 60 pounds that lost 13 pounds during the first two weeks of induction has an average metabolic resistance. He can expect his ACE to fall between 15 and 40 net carbs per day.

Example 2: A woman needing to lose 30 pounds that lost 9 pounds during the first two weeks of induction has a low metabolic resistance. She can expect her ACE to fall between 40 and 60 grams of net carbs per day.

Dr. Atkins said that exercise was not an option on our diet, and the charts above help to show why. Either of our example people can drastically increase their ACE through regular exercise. You can increase your ACE and have fun, too, by joining one of the many ADBB exercise challenges. You have nothing to lose but pounds!